Training for otn installation, configuration and maintenance for telecoms department, gauteng region

Compulsory briefing session: 09 November 2026 at 12:00 (CAT), 6th floor boardroom, Shosholoza Meyl building, Braamfontein. Attendance is mandatory; Form D must be submitted with the bid.

Closing date and time: 12 November 2026 at 10:00 (CAT).

Enquiries:

• Contact: Khuthadzo Tshikhudo
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 085 7060
• Additional email: [email protected]

Complaints: [email protected]

Submission address: Ground Floor, Shosholoza Meyl Junction, Cnr Leyds and Simmonds Street, Braamfontein.

Submission method: hand delivery only. No email or fax submissions accepted.

Submission address: Ground Floor, Shosholoza Meyl Junction, Cnr Leyds and Simmonds Street, Braamfontein.

Closing time: 12 November 2026 at 10:00 (CAT). Late submissions will not be accepted.

Bids must be submitted on official forms, in a sealed envelope, and must not include documents or references relating to any other quotation.

Returnable documents (mandatory, failure to submit leads to disqualification):

• Completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule (Section 4).
• Completed BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10).
• Form D: Certificate of Attendance of Compulsory Briefing (attendance register will be used to confirm).
• Proof of SETA accreditation (SETA 246666) or vendor proprietary OTN MPLS-TP training certificate.

Other mandatory documents (may be requested within 3 working days if not submitted):

• Signed and completed RFQ document and all SBD forms.
• COIDA letter of good standing.
• Valid SARS PIN.
• All RFQ documentation and declarations.
• Joint venture/consortium/subcontract agreement (if applicable), signed by all parties, indicating the leading bidder.
• CSD registration number.

Disqualification risks:

• Any mandatory returnable document missing at closing.
• Attempting to canvass any SCM officer or PRASA employee between closing and award.
• Changes to the quotation after closing.
• Submitting at the wrong venue or after the deadline.

Evaluation stages:

Stage 1A – Mandatory requirements: submission of the mandatory documents listed above. Failure leads to automatic disqualification.

Stage 1B – Other mandatory requirements: submission of the other mandatory documents. PRASA may request these within 3 working days; failure to provide leads to disqualification.

Stage 2 – Technical/Functionality: scored out of 100. Minimum threshold: 60%. Bidders scoring below 60% are excluded from further evaluation.

Scoring for organisational experience (similar projects):

• 0 similar projects / non-submission / incomplete submission: 0 points
• 1 similar project: 20 points
• 2 similar projects: 40 points
• 3 similar projects: 60 points
• 4 similar projects: 80 points
• 5 or more similar projects: 100 points

For each project, provide: appointment letter on company letterhead, project description, purchase order, client name and contact (email and office number), project start and end dates, extension of time (if applicable), contract value inclusive of VAT, and a completion certificate or client letter confirming successful completion.

Stage 3 – Price and Specific Goals (80/20 preference point system):

• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points
• Total: 100 points

Price formula (80/20 system): Ps = 80(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin), where Ps = points for price, Pt = price of tender under consideration, Pmin = price of lowest acceptable tender.

Specific goals (20 points):

• Black Women owned: 10 points – supporting evidence: certified copy of ID documents of the owners.
• EME or QSE 51% Black Owned: 10 points – supporting evidence: audited annual financial statements, B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.

PRASA may apply objective criteria to award to a bidder that did not score the highest, including negative track record, spreading awards, or avoiding concentration of awards.

PRASA may split the award among multiple service providers if the nature of the services allows.

If the preferred bidder fails to sign the contract within 14 days, fails to provide required security, or fails to meet a condition precedent, PRASA may appoint the next ranked bidder.

The department requires the appointment of a service provider to deliver training for PRASA Telecoms Technicians on OTN installation, configuration, and maintenance, covering MPLS-TP technology on both modular aggregated nodes and integrated nodes.

Training scope includes:

• Introduction to OTN: evolution from SDH/SONET to MPLS-TP, industry standards and safety regulations.
• System components: modular aggregated nodes, integrated nodes, node support module, central switching module, interface module, power supply unit, TXCare management system.
• System design and planning: site assessment, housing location, planning required services (CCTV, telecontrol, PA system), network topology design, traffic bandwidth calculation.
• Installation and setup: unpacking, rack preparation, node support brackets, power requirements, fibre installation, grounding, and allowing 132mm free space above and below the node for ventilation.
• Software and configuration: prepare TxCare PC, install TxCare software, set up dashboard, discover and approve XTran network topology.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance: diagnosing network alarms, regular maintenance schedules, replacing faulty equipment.
• Cybersecurity and access management: password management, encryption, user roles, access logs, protecting systems from unauthorised access.

Training requirements:

• Must be conducted by a registered and accredited training provider.
• Accreditation: SETA 246666 (perform operational activities on multichannel optical fibre systems) or vendor proprietary system for OTN MPLS-TP training.
• Combination of classroom theory and hands-on practical sessions.
• Use of real-world equipment and simulation scenarios.
• A training manual or guide must be provided.
• Lunch for trainees must be provided.

Learning outcomes: trainees must be able to understand OTN components and functions, plan and design OTN layouts, install nodes and cabling, configure system settings and remote access, maintain and troubleshoot OTN systems, integrate OTN with other services, and demonstrate hands-on skills.

Assessment and certification:

• Theoretical test: minimum pass mark of 80%.
• Practical evaluation: on-site or simulated environment.
• Final evaluation by accredited trainer or external assessor.
• Certificate of Competence issued to successful participants, specifying trainee name, trainer institution, topics covered, accreditation number, and date of issue.

Bidders must demonstrate organisational experience by providing details of successfully completed similar projects. For each project, provide: appointment letter on company letterhead, project description, purchase order, client name and contact (email and office number), project start and end dates, extension of time (if applicable), contract value inclusive of VAT, and a completion certificate or client letter confirming successful completion. Scoring: 0 projects = 0 points, 1 project = 20, 2 = 40, 3 = 60, 4 = 80, 5 or more = 100. Minimum threshold for technical/functionality is 60%.

The training must be delivered by a registered and accredited training provider. Assessment includes a theoretical test with a minimum pass mark of 80% and a practical evaluation. A Certificate of Competence must be issued to successful participants, specifying trainee name, trainer institution, topics covered, accreditation number, and date of issue. A training manual or guide must be provided.

Pricing must be submitted on the provided BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10). Prices must be in South African Rand, inclusive of all applicable taxes. The price offer must be firm. Cost breakdown must be indicated. Price escalation basis and formula must be indicated. Deviation from the pricing schedule may render the bid non-responsive. Discounted prices will only be considered at the final evaluation stage on an unconditional basis. The BOQ includes one item: Personnel, quantity 10, unit of measure: each. VAT at 15% to be added.

Pricing must be quoted in South African Rand, inclusive of all applicable taxes.

Price offer must be firm and the basis thereof clearly indicated.

Pricing must be submitted strictly in accordance with the provided pricing schedule (BOQ). Deviation may render the bid non-responsive.

Cost breakdown must be indicated.

Price escalation basis and formula must be indicated.

Discounted prices will only be considered at the final evaluation stage, on an unconditional basis.

If the highest scoring bidder's price is not market-related, PRASA may negotiate a market-related price with the highest, then second, then third highest scoring bidder. If no agreement is reached, PRASA may cancel the RFQ.

BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10):

• Item: Personnel – quantity 10, unit of measure: each.
• VAT at 15% to be added.
• Grand total to be calculated.

CSD registration: Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD). Business may not be awarded to a bidder not registered on the CSD. Foreign suppliers with no local registered entity are exempt.

Tax compliance: Bidders must submit a valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN, or a printed TCS certificate, or a CSD number if no TCS PIN is available. Each party in a consortium/JV/subcontract must submit a separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number.

State employment: Bids will not be considered from persons in the service of the state, companies with directors who are state employees, or close corporations with members who are state employees.

Register for Tender Defaulters / List of Restricted Suppliers: Bidders listed on these registers will be automatically disqualified.

COIDA: Letter of good standing required.

B-BBEE: Preference points claimed under the 80/20 system. Specific goals: Black Women owned (10 points) – certified ID copies of owners; EME or QSE 51% Black Owned (10 points) – audited annual financial statements, B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.

SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses whether any director, shareholder, or controlling person is employed by the state, has a relationship with the procuring institution, or has an interest in another enterprise. Also discloses PEP/PIP status. False declaration leads to disqualification.

SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims preference points for specific goals under the 80/20 system.

SBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies the price was set independently, with no collusion or disclosure to competitors.

Authority to sign: Proof of authority (e.g., company resolution) must be submitted.

Training must cover technology equipment industry standards and safety regulations. Installation training includes grounding, power requirements, and allowing 132mm free space for ventilation. No specific OHS plan or safety file is required beyond these technical safety aspects.

The contract is governed by PRASA General Conditions of Purchase and the law of the Republic of South Africa. The supplier warrants that items are fit for purpose and free from defects for one year from acceptance (unless another period is stated). The supplier indemnifies PRASA against claims arising from negligence, infringement, or breach of statutory duty. Subcontracting requires PRASA's prior approval; the successful bidder remains liable for performance. PRASA may reject non-conforming items and require replacement or rework. Payment is made within 30 days of receipt of a correct tax invoice. Late delivery may be subject to penalty if imposed. The supplier must mark consignments, provide packing notes, advice notes, and priced invoices. Title and risk pass to PRASA upon acceptance. PRASA may cancel the contract if information provided by the bidder is later proved incorrect.

Evaluation follows three stages: Stage 1A (mandatory requirements – automatic disqualification if not submitted), Stage 1B (other mandatory requirements – may be requested within 3 working days), Stage 2 (technical/functionality – minimum threshold 60%), and Stage 3 (price and specific goals – 80/20 system). Technical scoring is based on the number of similar projects completed, with points from 0 to 100. Price is scored using the 80/20 formula. Specific goals: Black Women owned (10 points) and EME/QSE 51% Black Owned (10 points). PRASA may apply objective criteria, split awards, or appoint the next ranked bidder if the preferred bidder fails to sign or meet conditions.